Just a week after giving up 60 points in a loss to the Mt. Vernon Tigers, the Mineola Yellowjackets return the favor scoring 60 points of their own in a Homecoming victory against the Grand Saline Indians.

While the temperature during the game began to creep towards below freezing the Jacket offense came out red hot from the opening kickoff.

Head Coach Luke Blackwell expressed his gratitude for how well the Jackets played after their first district loss just a week ago.

“I was very pleased with the way our kids responded this week. After a tough loss last week, and not playing our best, I thought we were very focused and came out and played with great effort and confidence,” Blackwell said.

The final score read 60-13 and quarterback Shaw Franklin led the Jackets offensive onslaught as he ran for three touchdowns in the first half alone and finished with 199 yards rushing.

Running back Trevion Sneed also had a great game as he ran for 117 yards and also scored a touchdown as well. Curtis London had 78 yards rushing and two touchdowns.

“I thought we ran the ball really well offensively. Our offensive line played really well and opened up some nice holes for our backs. It was great to see us be so effective with all three backs (Franklin, London and Sneed). When those guys get going, we are really tough to slow down offensively,” Blackwell said.

The Jackets’ defense earned the first big play of the game when sophomore Cole Castleberry intercepted a pass by Grand Saline quarterback Jaxon Taylor early in the first half.

Blackwell also said he thought the turnovers forced by the defense early in the game helped get the team going in the first half.

“Defensively I thought we did a good job limiting their big plays and forcing a couple of key turnovers,” Blackwell said.

Later in the first quarter Franklin scored on two long run plays of 47 and 60 yards. Running backs Curtis London and Sneed both also scored in the first half on running plays. London scored from 34 yards out while Sneed scored on a short four-yard run in the second quarter.

Cameron Bowman also scored later in the second quarter to essentially put the game out of reach at 39-7.

The Indians would go on to score one more time in second half, but the Jackets’ defensive allowed nothing more.

However Blackwell and the Jackets feel they still have room for improvement.

“We will continue to work on improving fundamentals. We had a few mishaps on extra point and a couple of turnovers that we need to get corrected. Those are a few areas that must be better if we are going to be successful moving forward,” Blackwell said.

The Jackets will travel to Commerce High School to face the Tigers. With the win Friday Mineola is now in second place in District 7 Class 3A, just a game behind the Mt. Vernon Tigers.